Hand of Bela Peck's Profile

There was a time when a trip to the pediatrician was exactly that: a trip to the pediatrician. Usually it was to get yet another doctor's note for school to explain away the usual absences associated with school age children and their germy ways. I always took along a stitching... Continue reading

Posted Feb 21, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Wednesday Wanderer: Rural Decay

Feeling imprisoned between the Texas Gulf Coast and Houston's urban sprawl, I made a mad dash for sanity in the great open counties northwest of the city this past weekend. Just west of Katy on I-10, I took a right and drove until mercados and roadside taquieras disappeared behind me... Continue reading

Posted Feb 20, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Bunny Foo Foo

With Spring just around the corner I can't help but make Bunny Foo Foos by the armfuls! Theses up-cycled gems are super easy and one of the first Rustic Foo Foo collaborations for me and my bestie, Ashlie (of Painting Bliss). Ahhhhhh the memories! We both have grown considerably since... Continue reading

Posted Feb 19, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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A Simple Bunny

Sometimes I just need to be told what to do. My creative mind races 160 mph daily and at times it is difficult to see the glowing red light signaling a slow down is in order. That's when it's time to dive into the archives and pull out an oldie... Continue reading

Posted Feb 18, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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A Friend For All Seasons

I have known my best friend, Ashlie Blake, for seven years now and it's hard to believe we have never met face to face! We talk everyday, Skype, and I even have been to dinner with her husband during his recent business trip to NASA; Ashlie had to stay behind... Continue reading

Posted Feb 15, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Tending The Herd

Spring sheep have begun grazing in my studio and I am delighted with the new materials for this year's herd! Mohair blends returns as my usual fave but the thrifting gods have been very very good to me this week, allowing for some new sheep style on the block! One... Continue reading

Posted Feb 13, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Memories of Home

When the snow falls deep and fluffy around the old homestead, and Mom sends a pic of good ol' 363 up to her second stone wall of drifted accumulation I am full of memories. Suddenly I am eight years old with my nose pressed to the second story bull's eye... Continue reading

Posted Feb 11, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Hendly Market Needfuls

When I moved to the Galveston area last year I found sanctuary in the artsy shops of The Strand. An area rich with history, loaded with ghost stories, and romanticized with horse drawn carriages, The Strand is my reward for having to live in the south suburbia abyss of Houston.... Continue reading

Posted Feb 8, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Peep Show

Ahhhhh spring is just around the corner! Twirly tweets are heard in the trees as the pairing up and nesting festivities begin. The cardinals and blue jays have returned to that overgrown shrubby tree in my neighbor's yard. The mourning doves are publicly displaying their affections on the rooftop much... Continue reading

Posted Feb 7, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Wednesday Wanderer: Texas Wildflowers of Johnson County

This time of year my heart starts racing knowing it is only another month or so before those fabulous Texas wildflowers begin popping up along the roadsides, blanketing the hills and causing even the toughest of men to pull their Harley Davidson alongside a tranquil field for a photo op.... Continue reading

Posted Feb 6, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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A Forest Fern

Every dilapidated house tells the story of her former glory. Many stand their last ground as tree roots pull them under, ripping at their foundations until crumbling is the only remaining option. Even then, their stories can be read. Chapters are exposed and the main characters greet visitors on weather-worn... Continue reading

Posted Feb 5, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Worth Repeating: Be Still

This is one of my favorite personal mantras- so ingrained in my psyche it's as natural as breathing. But there are times when life throws down a speed bump or two and breathing becomes strained, shallow and overwhelming. It is times like this when my mantra needs to be consciously... Continue reading

Posted Feb 4, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Early Work Mercantile Debut

Elida and Pheobe have made their debut in the Early Work Mercantile! I am so excited to be a part of this group of fabulous primitive arists! Elida and Pheobe are both one-of-a-kind dolls. I never duplicate my historical dolls or offer the pattern for sale. Every 1st of the... Continue reading

Posted Feb 1, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Texas Valentine

The sweetheart deadline is fast approaching! Tired of giving your love the stereotypical jewelry, roses or chocolates? Step outside the box this year and take a love tip from the Wenzel Lonestar Meat Company in Hamilton, Texas :) Just one of the many fab new and vintage advertising signs one... Continue reading

Posted Jan 31, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Wednesday Wanderer: Indian Gap, Texas

Texas travel is like climbing through a time portal. The further west one goes, modern conveniences disappear, gas stations become less and less frequent until there are simply none. Houses are few, pastures become endless, and occasionally one comes to the junction of nowhere and what used to be. In... Continue reading

Posted Jan 30, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Elida's Progress

A friend posted on Facebook yesterday asking why artists are their own worst critic. It was a timely question as I was working on Elida and second guessing small stitches, pleats, and gathers; occasionally wondering why I ever gave up my dependable career for the rogue creative life. Looking at... Continue reading

Posted Jan 29, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Chillin' With The Girls

Elida & Pheobe With Hubby in Bangkok, my daughter off with her friends, and a house all to myself it was a weekend made for sofa lounging, a lotta lattes, a Twilight marathon, and stitching up some new primitive dolls. Dolls are my truest love. Making wee dresses and spending... Continue reading

Posted Jan 28, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Studio Work That Feels Like Play

Some days I beat myself up about not getting much done. But then I turn around to find my studio full to the brim with new critters nearly ready to roll. The spring chicks went through some minor revisions for 2013- adding hearts for Valentines Day and being paired up... Continue reading

Posted Jan 25, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Thanks Kath! Love Ya girl!

Commented Jan 25, 2013 on The Empty Mug at Hand of Bela Peck

Hand of Bela Peck added a favorite at Everything Typepad

Jan 25, 2013

The Empty Mug

Routines are funny. Simple tasks repeatedly completed without thought or preparation, done so often they are as mindless as breathing. Half awake, rinse the coffee pot, fill with water to the 8 cup line, scoop some Texas Independence Vintage Bin blend, ummm smells good, even out the mound of brown... Continue reading

Posted Jan 23, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Chicks In Love

Inspired by the abundance of hearts in production, the studio chicks have begun pairing up and falling in love. In lush up-cycled mohair blends and vintage cashmere, the budding romances will certainly lead to a bumper crop of spring song birds and primitive nesters! In keeping with the primitive tradition,... Continue reading

Posted Jan 21, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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Good Words In Vintage Spaces

No matter what occupation one has, every one needs an inspiration piece in the work space. A little pretty something or other that keeps us from launching the computer through the window or to calm our nerves on hectic days. On my desk I have a vintage metal typewriter that... Continue reading

Posted Jan 18, 2013 at Hand of Bela Peck

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The Wandering Packages

Have you seen me?? Oh I have heard the stories from fellow artists; disappearing artwork, badly damaged boxes, and then the packages that simply vanish! Even armed with the best protections of tracking labels, delivery confirmation, and insurance, packages never hit the radar. Where in the world do they go?... Continue reading